Malibu Burning by Lee GoldbergMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This first installment of what is presumably to be a Sharpe and Walker series by author Lee Goldberg is one you will want to stick with through some of the frustrating time-traveling in which Goldberg indulges in the early pages. A keen eye to the date references at the start of each chapter is critical—and irritating. Miss one of those dates and be prepared to backtrack to put events into some type of chronological order that will enable you to follow the meandering plot lines. Pay attention, however, and be rewarded in Part 2, when everything happens in real time and the pages turn faster than a knife fight in a phone booth.
The story revolves around the gregarious Andrew Walker, a U.S. marshall reluctantly reinventing himself in a role in arson investigations—a “less dangerous” career that allows his pregnant wife to sleep at night. His new partner, grizzlied Walter Sharpe, is experienced in investigating and identifying the cause of fires, from house blazes to raging wild infernos. His quick, dry wit, coupled with Walker’s sarcasm and irreverence, makes for some first-rate banter that is both clever and amusing.
The conflict here is built on the character of Danny Cole, an ex-convict and brilliant conman with little to lose and a chip the size of Texas on his shoulder. In spite of the grudge he carries and his colorful backstory, he is, at heart, both charming and likable. He inspires loyalty and trust in those with whom he runs his long cons, and as a reader one can’t help but to root for him to come out ahead. When Cole decides to bring together some of his former friends and associates for one final heist, the stakes are high, the rewards potentially life-changing. The only thing standing in his way, besides the unpredictable wildfire bearing down on him, is the equally likable team of Walker and Sharpe. I was torn between what I hoped would transpire, a testament to Goldberg’s genius.
A four star read that would have merited the full five had I not had to take mental notes of the timeline in Part 1. I can’t wait to dive into the future adventures of Walker and Sharpe.
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